A MEETING of the Parish Council took place in the Village Hall, Recreation Ground, at 7.30pm, Thursday 3 rd February 2011.

Transcription

1 CHALGROVE PARISH COUNCIL A MEETING of the Parish Council took place in the Village Hall, Recreation Ground, at 7.30pm, Thursday 3 rd February Present: Cllr. A. Pritchard, Chairman Cllr. T. Ace Cllr. K. Batley, Vice-Chairman Cllr. B. Spicer Cllr. D. Turner Cllr. P. Reynolds Cllr. C. Heath-Whyte Cllr. C. Fowler Cllr. B. Gray Cllr. R. Reed Apologies Accepted: Cllr Duckett Not present: None Members of the public: The minutes of the meeting held on 6 th January 2011 were approved and signed by the Chairman; proposed Cllr. Reed, seconded Cllr. Spicer. MATTERS ARISING: 467. VANDALISM & THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION GROUP: (a) There had been an increase in the amount of complaints from Village Hall hirers regarding young people entering the Village Hall and taking items from the cleaning cupboard. Three keys are to be purchased to lock the cleaning cupboard; proposed Cllr. Reynolds, seconded Cllr. Fowler. (b) The next NAG meeting is to be held on the 17 th February, Cllr. Pritchard is to attend CAFE JAVA & YOUTH CLUB: (a) The OCC Youth Centre inspection took place on the 13 th January and the assessment of the building passed with flying colours. (b) The ladies toilet hand dryer had been tampered with by persons unknown resulting in a small fire on the 13 th January. The replacement hand dryer at a cost of inc. VAT was proposed by Cllr. Ace, seconded by Cllr. Batley, agreed by all. No Police report had been made by the Youth Workers in charge. (c) During a Café Java session on the 21 st January several boys sprayed aerosol cans whilst lighting them outside and inside the Youth Centre. No Police report was made by the Java volunteers in charge. Cllr. Pritchard is to arrange a meeting with all Java volunteers. (d) The fire extinguisher had been tampered with and requires replacement at a cost of approximately 110; proposed Cllr. Reynolds, seconded Cllr. Pritchard, agreed by all. (e) A letter is to be sent to the parents/guardians of all members who attended the Youth Centre in December and January asking for a minimum donation of 2 to help towards the cost of the replacement hand dryer and fire extinguisher. (f) Cllr. Turner reported on a Youth Services meeting at County Hall. There are to be 7 hubs around the County, nearest to Chalgrove being Didcot or Abingdon. The date for the next Three Villages meeting is to be the 16 th February at Watlington Parish Office. (g) A stock take of all items in the Youth Centre is to be done before OCC pull out of the Youth Services funding CFAG (Chalgrove Flood Alleviation Group): (a) The Clerk is to report back to the Parish Council on a quarterly basis rather than monthly. (b) The Clerk is to Page 1 of 6

2 attend a Community Emergency Plan workshop on the 12 th March. (c) The Parish Council are to have a meeting with CFAG, EA, Monson, Highways and the Fire Service on Thursday 17 th February, 10am, Youth Centre. (d) Cllr. Turner reported that the County Council are to write a definitive response on Riparian responsibility VILLAGE HALL WIFI INTERNET: Mr. D. Lester had written to the Parish Council detailing that a new office router would be required to stop the internet connection failing whilst Age Concern are using the Village Hall wi-fi connection. The Parish Council took a decision to monitor the internet connection and details are to be taken to the next meeting WAR MEMORIAL POSTS: Installation advice had been given by Bouchier Fencing. The Parish Council requires more quotations TREES: Berinsfield Community Business had agreed that the wrong tree had been felled but insisted that it was also diseased in the upper part of the tree. The correct tree was felled at no extra cost and their original invoice had been paid. The logs had been left and local residents had been to collect them, unfortunately resulting in a messy area left on the recreation park SCHOOL OVERHANGING TREES: Works had been completed on the trees overhanging the Village car park. More work is required on the trees overhanging the Youth Centre VILLAGE HALL: (a) Fire Safety Services Ltd had quoted for the repair of the Pavilion external light at a cost of 68; proposed Cllr. Spicer, seconded Cllr. Reynolds, agreed by all. (b) Fire Safety Services Ltd had recommended that an emergency light be installed within the Main Village Hall kitchen at a cost of 110. The Parish Council felt this was not required. (c) Details were given of the recommended electricity contract with Scottish & Southern Energy; proposed Cllr. Pritchard, seconded Cllr. Ace, agreed by all. (d) Darke & Taylor Ltd had quoted for the repair of the MUGA lighting at a maximum cost of ; proposed Cllr. Pritchard, seconded Spicer, agreed by all. (e) Electrical Sparks quoted for the Village Hall PAT testing at 1.75 per item, recommending that the PAT testing is done on a annual basis. More quotations are to be obtained. (f) Electrical Sparks had quoted on the Village Hall periodic testing at a cost of 495. More quotation are to be obtained MILL LANE FLY TIPPING: There had been another case of fly-tipping at the Mill Lane allotments, the fourth incident in twelve months. SODC and Verdant had been chased and it is to be cleared as soon as man-power and budget allow SODC ROAD CLEANER: The road cleaner will be allocated to Chalgrove within the next two months FINANCE: (a) The FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) had confirmed that any monies held by Parish Council in UK banks is not guaranteed. More clarification is required on monies held within the Bank of Ireland. (b) Details of interest rates and fixed term deposits are to be taken to the May meeting FISH & CHIP VAN: Quotations had been received to install a meter feed at the lamp post outside 68 High Street at a cost of ex VAT. This information is to be passed to the owner of the Fish & Chip van, agreed by all. Page 2 of 6

3 479. REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADE COMPLAINT LETTER: Mr. N. Topping had written to express his dissatisfaction at the Parish Council response within the LINK. Mr. N. Topping is to be notified that a road closure is to be organised for the 2011 Remembrance Parade and Service LINK USER AGREEMENT: The LINK editor had not agreed to the Parish Councils request for a set two pages within the LINK. All articles are to be sent in the normal way and are subject to editing by the editorial team STREET PARTY GUIDELINES: Details are to be put on the Parish Council website ALLOTMENT RENTS: Most allotment rents had been received. There is still a lengthy waiting list SKATE PARK EXTENSION: A grant application had been submitted to SODC and more will be known at the end of February. Several young people will be taking part in a display at the May Day festival PRS LICENSE: ORCC are to publish more information regarding requirement within the next few months BENSON LIBRARY: A meeting took place on the 20 th January to discuss the future of the Benson library. Cllrs. Reed and Turner attended along with 261 others and a total of 153 written apologies. OCC had asked local people to find their own local solutions. Cllr. Turner reported that he believes the mobile library will have to visit more rural areas, therefore limiting the amount of time spent at Chalgrove BRINKINFIELD SEWAGE: Letters had been received from No s 48 and 50 Brinkinfield detailing further issues and asking the Parish Council to write to all households linked to Brinkinfield Road asking the residents not to put nappies and other such items down the drains. The Parish Council made a decision to put an article within the March LINK ELECTION PROCESS: Nomination packs are due to arrive in February and details of the election are to be included within the Parish Council Notes in the LINK THERMOSTAT: The Village Hall thermostat is set at 20 degrees. It was agreed that the heating settings would be checked on a weekly basis by the Clerk RECREATION GROUND HEDGE TRIMMING: Details are to be checked with regards to the nesting season and quotations are to be obtained for the works to take place in August/September MEMORIAL GARDEN BROKEN POST: A quotation had been received to replace the six posts at the Memorial Garden. The Clerk is to check whether all six posts require replacement PARKED CAR OUTSIDE THE CROWN P.H.: Reported to PCSO Becky Freeman MATTERS UNRESOLVED: Ownership of The Green, Master T. Clarke, Joint User Agreement, Chapel Lane dog bins REPORT FROM THE RECREATION GROUND COMMITTEE: (a) Several Councillors had cleared areas of the recreation ground. Full minutes are available from the Parish Office. (b) Cllr. Gray reported on the Cavaliers plans to improve Page 3 of 6

4 the drainage on the top rec. To be discussed at the Recreation Committee meeting on the 15 th February VILLAGE HALL CLEANER APPLICANTS: Following interviews, Ms Heather Axon had been employed as the Village Hall Cleaner on a Temporary contract with a start date of Monday 14 th February. CORRESPONDENCE: 495. Mr. Andrew Collins wrote to query the B.T. and Opal Telecom bills, wondering whether the Parish Council were getting the best value for their money. An explanatory letter is to be sent to Mr. Collins detailing the reasoning for the costs SODC had written to confirm the precept amount of 92, Mr. Jeremy Chamberlain had written to advise the Parish Council of tree works due to be carried out at 8 High Street. An on-site meeting is to be requested The British Heart Foundation had queried whether a recycling bin for clothes and shoes could be placed within the Village. The Parish Council agreed that, as there are other initiatives within the Village, a recycling bin was not required The Chalgrove Festival Committee wrote to request permission to use the recreation ground, Parish office, Youth Centre, Village Hall and Pavilion for the May Day festival on Monday 2 nd May. This was agreed by the Parish Council The Chalgrove Festival Committee wrote to ask whether the Parish Council wish to hold a stall at the May Day festival. The Parish Council declined the offer The Chalgrove Festival Committee wrote to request a donation towards the May Day festival expenses. The Parish Council are to make a decision in April, at the start of the new financial year Mr. Jonathan Beale, OCC, wrote to explain the delay in the clearance of footpaths 5 and 6. The work is on hold and will be resumed as and when both priority and resources allow. A copy was also sent to all relevant households. PUBLIC SESSION: 503. Ms. Jacky Nabb reported on the creative projects being undertaken within Frogmore by the Chalgrove Primary School Ms. Jacky Nabb reported that she is still seeking advice on what trees to plant within the Village Ms. Jacky Nabb questioned whether wild flowers could be planted on verges. The Parish Council suggested that she speak directly with Highways PLANS (Parish Council decision only): None 507. DECISION NOTICES FROM SODC: None 508. MONTHLY POLICE REPORT: Neighbourhood Policing newsletter not yet received. It was reported that details of local crimes could be found at REPORT FROM THE DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLOR: Cllr. Turner reported on the following: (a) Details had been received from Highways indicating that they plan to extend the High Street drainage works further down the High Street. More information will be brought to the next meeting. (b) The Page 4 of 6

5 Sure Start/Children s Centre budget is to remain intact apart from the inflation uplift. (c) The Big Society policies are to be implemented in approximately April 2012 with Parish Councils having more power in decision making. (d) Consultations are taking place to cap the housing benefit within the private sector. (e) The Crown P.H. Chinese takeaway was closed by the Environmental Health Department of the District Council, but is due to re-open within a week following work being done under their supervision. (f) The County Council is setting up a one year only 600,000 Big Society fund to assist communities trying to re-establish things like youth facilities and libraries which are proposed to be cut in the County Council budget. This money is to be bid for and given out on a prioritised on merit basis. Details will be available later in February REPORT FROM THE PLAY AREA INSPECTION OFFICERS: Already discussed within the Recreation Committee meeting report. ACCOUNTS: 511. Cheque number , to AKAL Ltd, had been lost in the post and therefore cancelled with the bank. Cheque number had been sent on the 25 th January as the replacement payment ACCOUNTS SANCTIONED FOR PAYMENT: AKAL Ltd window locks H.M. Revenue & Customs tax & N.I S. Ireland electrical works within Youth Centre RED BOX office supplies SODC dog bin emptying F. G. Alden Ltd repair of boiler pump Edwards Cleaning Services Village Hall cleaning Corona Energy gas supply Dec Opal Telecom web hosting P. Hall Windows Home-Start donation RCV Oxfordshire donation Direct Hygiene Ltd replacement hand dryer ANY OTHER BUSINESS: 513. Cllr. Fowler gave a brief report on how tennis could be encouraged within the Village. This is to be discussed in more detail at the Recreation Committee meeting on 15 th February Cllr. Fowler explained that she has become Chairman of CHAIN, Chalgrove Interactive & Network Group, which will keep the various Village Plan committees linked. The Register of Electors form is to be amended Cllr. Ace reported that residents may be penalised on their insurance if they live within 200M of the brook. DATES: Recreation Ctte & Planning Ctte, 15 th February, 7pm, Youth Centre. Parish Council Meeting, 3 rd March, 7.30pm, James Martin Room. The meeting closed at 10.59pm. Page 5 of 6

6 The next meeting of the Parish Council is to take place in the Village Hall on Thursday 3 rd March 7.30pm Signed:. Chairman Page 6 of 6